How To Get There?

There are two options on how to go to Maniwaya Island, but both are via Quezon Province.

Option 1 Via General Luna Port

Take a bus bound to Lucena Quezon. Inform the driver that you will alight at Lucena Grand Terminal, there are other buses that do not pass through the terminal (as per the local I have talked to). I chose Jam liner since it's the nearest on my place. Fare is 218 as of April 2017 and travel time may take up to three hours. I take the 12midnight trip and arrive at Lucena around 3 in the morning.

From Lucena Grand Terminal, there are van bound to different points of Quezon Province, you will not miss General Luna for it is the first on the terminal where you will alight from the bus. Fare is 160 php as of April 2017 and travel time may take up to 2 to 3 hours. If it is your first time, inform the driver you are going to General Luna so he can wake you up in case you fell asleep (as what happened to me).

From General Luna, there are tricycle that can take you to General Luna port. Fare is 10php as per the local but the tricycle driver charge me 20php. Travel time may take up to less 5 or 10 minutes.

From General Luna port there are boat that goes to Maniwaya Island. But the only trip is 10 in the morning. Fare is 150 php. Travel time may take up to an hour or two. You can tell the boatman where you are heading so they can drop you on your resort. But if you are in large group you can rent a whole boat for yourself so they can pick you up, rent of whole boat ranges from 7000 to 8000 depends on pax.

Option 2

Ride a bus bound to Lucena/Dalahican Port. Then board a ferry going to Balanacan Port, Marinduque, fare is around 260 pesos. From Balanacan Port, ride a jeepney to Sta. Cruz. From Sta. Cruz town proper ride a tricycle going to Buyabod Port. From Buyabod port ride a boat going to Maniwaya Island.

I don't have much information about this option, I take the Option 1.

Alternatively, as per the local I have talked to, there are buses from Aurora Cubao, Superlines Bus bound to Bulanay. Fare is around 320 php. They have 4 pm, 7 pm, and 11 pm trip daily.

Where To Stay?

There are a lot of resort in Maniwaya Island namely, Wawie's Beach Resort, Playa Amara, Residencia De Palo Maria, Palo Maria Beach Camp Resort, I don't know much of their rates. I stayed in Wawie's Beach Resort.

Wawie's Beach Resort Rate

Tent Rental - 500php overnight

If you have your own tent and you will pitch-in on their resort, they will only charge you 300 php overnight.

Daytrip?

Yep. There are open cottages available on Wawie's.

Electricity?

Yep. 24/7. Wawie's have generators too.

Activities?

Sunrise and Sunset watching!

You can visit the Palad Sand Bar. Boat rentals are available upon request on your resort. At Wawie's their boat rental is 1500 php good for 8 pax. They will take you to Palad SandBar and the Rock Formation. If you are solo traveler or you're just a group of four you may ask at the reception if there's anyone willing to join your group or if you are willing to join others. As per my trip, I did joined other group its just that later that night there are no available boats anymore.

Also at Wawies, they have beach volleyball, you may bring your own ball or you can borrow one for free.

Videoke. Yep. Just please, be mindful of those who are already sleeping esp at night.

Jet Ski at Wawie's. Yep.

Uhm, swimming? :D

Where To Eat?

You may bring your own if you don't want to spend more. There are grilling part where you can cook. If you want to pre-heat or cook your cannedgoods you may ask the staff of Wawie's and they will charge you for a minimum amount, I learned this from the other guests.

Wawie's Resort also have their restaurant where you can order a meal that ranges from 120 to 300. Just politely ask them.

Souvenirs?

Yep.

Is It Safe?

Yep. Guaranteed. I stayed for two nights all by myself in a tent.

Going home?

Passenger boat leaves Maniwaya Island at around 6 in the morning and that is the only trip they have.

Tips

- If you are travelling alone and want to visit Palad Sandbar and Rock Formation but don't have enough budget, you may join other group.
- Boat rental for Pala Sandbar is 1500 good for 8 pax
- If you are in a large group you may rent your own boat that will fetch you from General Luna Port (return) and will take you to Palad Sandbar and Rock Formation for 6000 php good for 15pax.
- If you are coming from Buyabod port (return) 4000 php good for 15pax with Palad Sandbar and Rock Formation
- If you are on a budget I suggest bringing your own food. You can bring canned goods that are ready to eat and then just buy rice on the resort.

- as for the drinking water, drinking water are free on Wawie's and is available 24/7 both hot and cold.

- If you want to catch the first trip going to Maniwaya from General Luna port I suggest going there as early as what I did. It's okay to wait for 10am than to miss it.

- Leave No Trace. There are proper disposal available. Let's be mindful of our trash.

- Be friendly.

- Don't make fun of other people. I don't know, I just need to post this, for this is my first time to encounter being bashed by other travelers/tourists just because I travel alone. There are people who enjoy the company of their own. Respect that.

- Don't hesitate to ask the locals or the staff of the resort for any concerns. They are all polite and willing to help you.

- The videoke are available but please make sure you are not disturbing other people's time.

Can you recommend a boat that can accommodate 24pax (OR at least 2 boats if there's no big boat). We will be visiting Maniwaya on May 20-21, 2017 and as per Wawie's Beach Resort they cannot provide boat for us anymore :( . Thank you so much.

Aww sorry to hear that po. As I've heard fully booked nga po ang Maniwaya ng weekends. You can try Residencia De Palo Maria. My sister used to stay there last year and they offer boat rides. I don't have any contact numbers but you can message them on facebook, they respond after a few hours. https://www.facebook.com/ResidenciaDePaloMaria/

"From General Luna port there are boat that goes to Maniwaya Island. But the first trip and earliest is 10 in the morning. Fare is 150 php."- do you happen to have the contact number or the scheds of the boat?

About me

Welcome to my blog. Well, Hello, I'm Ellie, from the Philippines. Travelling on DIY basis and currently on Project81: Visiting 81 provinces of the Philippines before 30 years old.. I'm dork and very vintage, loves fashion and photography, and mostly I'm a Potterhead, but wait, a gourmand too!